August 11, 2014 AT 12:00 am

Timelapse of dormant ‘Rose of Jericho’ plants exploding to life after exposure to water

The Rose of Jericho (Selaginella lepidophylla) is a species of desert moss that has the amazing ability to ‘resurrect’ itself after bouts of extreme dehydration lasting months or even years. After just a few hours of exposure to moisture the plants burst to life, uncurling from a tight ball of dry leaves to a green flower-like shape. Videographer Sean Steininger shot this timelapse of several plants as he exposed them to water.

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help others to judge the value of your contribution; not just the
information that leads to judgment in one particular direction or
another." - Richard Feynman